KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Kyiv on Tuesday on an unannounced diplomatic mission to reassure Ukraine of U.S. support as it struggles to defend itself. Russia's attacks intensify.
“We know these are difficult times,” Blinken said in the Ukrainian capital, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The visit comes less than a month after Congress approved a long-delayed foreign aid package. $60 billion in aid to Ukrainemuch of which will be devoted to replenishing badly depleted artillery and air defense systems.
Blinken said the new package of aid is “currently underway,” adding that some of it has already arrived in Ukraine.
He said the aid would “make a real difference” on the battlefield, where Russian forces hold the lead in some areas against Kiev's depleted forces.
In his fourth visit to Kiev since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Blinken will highlight the Biden administration's policies. Commitment to Ukraine's defense and long-term securitysaid a US official. They noted that the administration has already announced $1.4 billion in short-term military aid and $6 billion in long-term aid since President Joe Biden signed the aid package late last month.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the United States is “looking to accelerate” arms shipments to Ukraine.
“What I'm saying is the level of intensity that's being shown right now in terms of getting things moving is a 10 out of 10,” Sullivan told reporters at a White House briefing on Monday.
artillery, air defense interceptors, long range ballistic missile A senior U.S. official who was traveling with the secretary on a night train from Poland said they had already been handed over, and some had already been sent to the front.
Speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity ahead of his meeting with Mr. Blinken, the official said Mr. Blinken expressed a “strong sense of security” to the Ukrainian leaders and civil society officials he will meet during his two-day visit. “It sends a signal.”
In a statement released after Blinken's arrival, the State Department said he would provide “up-to-date information on the battlefield, the impact of new U.S. security and economic assistance, long-term security and other commitments, and ongoing “We will meet with Mr. Zelensky and other Ukrainian government officials to discuss our efforts.” This is to promote Ukraine's economic recovery. ”
Delay in US aidEspecially since the war between Israel and Hamas began to attract the attention of government officials. Deep concerns in Kyiv And Europe. Blinken, for example, has visited the Middle East seven times since the Gaza conflict began in October. His last visit to Kiev was in September.
The US official added that Blinken was also scheduled to give a speech later on Tuesday praising Ukraine's “strategic success” in the war. The speech complemented Blinken's speech in Helsinki, Finland, last year, in which he mocked Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russia's strategic failures in starting the war.
However, since the Helsinki speech, Russia has stepped up its attacks, most notably US House of Representatives approves aid package After months of inaction, most U.S. aid had to be halted. Such attacks have increased in recent weeks as Russia sought to take advantage of Ukraine's lack of manpower and weapons during new aid shipments.
Biden administration officials and Ukrainian national security officials held a phone call on Monday to discuss the situation on the front lines, the capabilities they need most, and “get this quickly so we can effectively defend against the Russian onslaught.'' It puts us in a position to defend,” Sullivan said.
President Zelenskyy said over the weekend that “heavy fighting” was taking place near Ukraine's eastern and northeastern borders, where Ukrainian soldiers are outnumbered and poorly armed. Russia's significant ground attack.
Ukrainian military commanders and analysts say the Kremlin's forces are trying to identify Ukraine's weaknesses ahead of a major influx of new military aid to Kiev from the U.S. and European partners in the coming weeks and months. It is said that they are aiming to hit. This makes this period of opportunity for Moscow and one of the most dangerous for Kiev. two years warthey say.
Russia's new push into the northeastern Kharkiv region and into eastern Donetsk comes months after a nearly 1,000-kilometer (1,000-kilometre) front barely budged. During this time, both sides used long-range attacks and it was primarily a war of attrition.
President Zelensky told Blinken that Ukraine urgently needs two Patriot air defense systems to protect Kharkiv.
A senior US official said that despite some recent setbacks, Ukraine still has the potential for significant victories. This includes regaining about 50% of the territory captured by Russian forces in the early months of the war. increase economic status especially improving transport and trade links; military success in the black sea.
The official acknowledged that Ukraine faces a “tough fight” and is “under tremendous pressure,” but as new aid from the U.S. and other Western countries begins to surge, Ukrainians will “I'm going to become more and more confident,” he said.
Blinken said on Sunday there was “no question” that months of delayed aid had caused problems, but “we are doing everything in our power to expedite it.”
“This is a challenging moment,” he said on CBS' “Face the Nation.” “We are not going anywhere, and neither are the approximately 50+ countries that support Ukraine. If so, he's wrong.”
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Associated Press writer Aamer Madani in Washington contributed to this report.
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